Improvement in adjustable perforating-stamps



- F. O. ROBERTS & B. A. HATHAWAY Adjustable Perforating-Stamp.

No. 217,640. Patented July'l5, 1879."

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N1 PETERS. FHOTO-LITHQGRAPHER, WASH NGTON D C G NITED STATES PATENT QFFTCE.

FERDINAND O. ROBERTS AND BYRON A. HATHAWAY, OF CHICAGO, ILL.

IMPROVEMENT IN ADJUSTABLE PERFORATlNG-STAMPS.

Specification forming part of Letters Patent No. 2] 7,6410, dated July 15, 1879; application filed May 13, 1879.

To all whom it may concern:

- Be it known that we, FERDINAND 0. Ron- ERTS and BYRON A. HATHAWAY, of Chicago, in the county of Cook and State of Illinois, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in an Adjustable Perforating Stamp for Canceling Railroad-Tickets; and we hereby declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of the construction and operation of our invention which will enable others to make use of and understand the same, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, in which Figure 1 is a front elevation; Fig. 2, a vertical section of the same on the line as m, Fig. 1; Figs. 3, 4, 5, and 6, detail views Fig. 7, a

sectional detail at y y, Fig. 3; and Fig. 8, a

sectional detail at 00, Fig. 1.

This invention has for its object the improvement and construction of an adjustable punch to be used in connection with railroadtickets, and more especially coupon-tickets, whereby the necessary cancellation is greatly facilitated, and is accomplished by a single operation of the punch-press.

The nature of our invention consists in providing a suitable stand or press of the form shown in Fig. 2 of the drawings, which is provided with a series of punch-points that are adjustable to different positions by being moved in slots or channels, and when in operation these punch-points pass through certain diaphragm die-plates having perforations corresponding with the numerals on said die" plates, and representing the year, day of the month, and the destination of the passenger, and the letters representing each month as printed on the tickets, all of which are canceled at one and the same time by these series of adjustable punch-points, the exact construction and operation of which will hereinafter be more fully explained in detail.

In the drawings, A represents the stand supporting the several parts composing the punch-press, and B the operating-lever, which, when in a vertical position, may be brought down to a horizontal line, either backward or forward. 0 is the movable part forming the head, which carries the series of adjustable punch-points, and is connected to the operating-lever B by means of the arm a, as illustrated in Fig. 2 of the drawings.

To the head 0 is attached the slotted diaphragm die-plate a, the flange of the head 0 having corresponding slots or channels for the reception of the several punch-points, which may be adjusted to different positions, as circumstances may require, by being moved along in said channels.

With reference to the several punch-points, 0 represents the punch which cancels the year, c cancels the month, 0 the day of the month, and c the destination of the passenger or name of the station. The punch-points c, 0 and 0 move in the channels in the flange of the head 0, while the points 0 are attached to the dialplate D, which slides in and out of a recess located in the under side of the head 0. On the face of the dial-plate D is a regular graduated scale of numerals to represent and correspond to the names of the stations printed on the ticket.

d represents a locking device attached to v the head 0, and is adapted to engage with the perforations in the dial-plate D, and locking it at any point required.

The diaphragm die-plate E is intended to act as a clearing-plate, Fig. 4 of the drawings being a face view, and is perforated in the manner shown for the reception of the punchpoints, which pass down through this plate before coming in contact with the ticket to be canceled, the numerals representing the year and the day of the month and the letters representing the months all corresponding to like matter printed upon the ticket. This plate E as arranged acts as a guide for the operator to adjust the punch-points to their proper positions, as well as clearing the ticket from the punches.

F represents the lower diaphragm or bedplate, upon which the matter for cancellation is placed, and is provided with corresponding perforations to the clearing-plate E, through which the cut-out portions of ticket escape.

The operation of the adjustable punch is as follows: The operating-lever being made to assume a horizontal position, the operator next releases the punch-points by turning loose the heads or finger-grasps f f f, and then adjusting the punch-points to the required position for making certain cancellations in the ticket or coupons; then, before tightening down on the heads f ff, the operating-lever should be carefully brought to a vertical position and the punch-points inserted in the right holes; then firmly secure the punch-points by tightening down on the heads f f f, and then bring the operating-lever to a horizontal position, when the punch-press is ready for use. The ticket or tickets to be canceled being now inserted in the space between the clearing-plate and the lower diaphragm, the dial-plate D is next properly adjusted to cancel the destination of the passenger or name of the station printed on the ticket, and by one stroke all the cancellations are performed.

This improved adjustable punch is not alone applicable to railroad-tickets, but may be employed in connection with tickets sold at places of amusement, and in canceling any matter to which an improvement of this nature can be properly applied.

We have now described the chief features of the construction and operation of our invention; but there are some minor features and modifications to which we do not restrict ourselves. For example, a wheel or any other suitable mechanism may be substituted for the operating-lever herein shown, and the lower part of the punch-press may be so constructed as to admit of being forced upward against the punch-points by attaching a treadle' and operating the punch with the foot.

Having thus described our invention, what we claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-- 1. The combination, with the flanged head 0, of the die-plate an, attached thereto, and having corresponding passages for the reception of the series of adjustable cancelingpoints, and the adjustable graduated dialplate 1) and locking device 11, substantially as described.

2. The combination, with the flanged head 0, of the series of canceling-points 0, c and c and provided with the adjustable heads f ff, the dial-plate D, having the cancelingpoints 0 and the locking device (1, substantially as and for the purpose described.

3. In an adjustable punch-press, the combination of the following elements: the stand A, the operating-lever B, the arm a, the movable flanged head G, the punch-points c c 0 0 the adjustable graduating dial-plate D, locking device (1, the. plate a, clearing-plate E, and the bed-plate F, all combined, arranged, and operating substantially as and for the purpose herein described.

FERDINAND O. ROBERT$. BYRON A. HATHAWAY. i Witnesses:

L. A. BUNTING, L. B. COUPLAND. 

